day

The following drawings are based on a subjective interpretation of Brian Keenan's book 'An Evil Cradling'.
I have drawn many parallels with this text, especially its location, the place of my birth, Lebanon.
I started this body of work in August 2000 and continued an obsessive line of investigation into this subject till 2002 with the completion of a short video/sound piece, ' days merge into night'.

night

Brian Keenan went to Beirut in 1985 for a change of scene from his native Belfast.He became headline news when he was kidnapped by fundamentalist Shi'ite militamen and held in the suburbs of Beriut for the next four and a half years. For most of this time Brian was shut off from all news and contact with anyone other than his jailers.

interrogation

waves of anguish

Sitting, stuck in the 'waves of his mind', I pictured Brian's body neglected, sore and eaten by mosquitoes.
When making these initial pictures I wasn't interested in capturing 'likeness or a resemblance' to Brian - but was just concerned with trying to portray the emotions he experienced.

captive

turbulent times

In this charcoal drawing I was attempting to communicate the mental turmoil that Brian Keenan went through during his captivity. Charcoal can be such an expressive medium when used to its full potential.

imagined visitors

reflection in a spoon

self knowledge

fallen sick

keenan - cell

the imprisionment of Brian Keanan

These are some of the first 'Keenan' drawings I made. This set of drawings was me attempting to translate the space (cell) that Keenan had to occupy.

a paper thin screen required wings

This is the first image drawn in my notebook upon my return to Ireland.I like the title - gives you an idea of how I felt about being home!

bangkok

This was the last entry in my notebook during that period of time in Thailand.

(mid -August, 2000).

Soon after I started to make sketches based on 'Brian Keanan's Book, 'An Evil Cradling,' which I had read during the end of my trip.For the next 'two years' I became 'obsessed' with trying to construct a subjective interpretation of his book through drawings and eventually video and sound.

gilda with bong

some dutch girl

recognizing nothing..

was here, where.(i can not deny what my scribbles reveal to me..)

whirlwind of imagery

premonition

unsure, disbelief, helpless silence,choked with pain.

Most of my drawings or sketches would be accompanied with text or titled. As you can see the expressive nature of these skectches gave me an outlet for the emotions I was experiencing.

images that torment my mind

thai woman

saw him leave

go back to where we were over the years

frightful fall , no man phadomed

captive

begging bowl ( i and i )

days go by..

gilda behind the winding stairs

Injured man

considering the time

hold onto time

The Fall 16' x 5.5'inches

This is the image I have decided to start off the archive. I drew this piece in my notebook in Thailand after a motorcycle accident which left me pretty unable to walk for about a month.
even though this image was created on the 11th of July 2000,(wow i did'nt realise that is tomorrow!!!) 8 years ago. I feel it was and always has been an important image for me.
Being laid up at that time really got me sketching and I enjoyed having my notebook to 'turn to'. The following images all come from the same notebook.